Knitting-machine.



W. D. & L. G. HUSH.

KNITTING MACHINE.

'APPLIGATION FILED MAY 9, 1906.

Patented Nov. 1 7, 1908.

10 SHEETS-SLEET 1.

W. D. & L. C. HUSB.

KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9,1906.

904,484; Patented Nov. 17, 1908. 10 SHBETSSHEET 2.

W. 1). & L. c. HUSH.

KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED M Y 9, 1906.

Patented Nov. 1' 7, 1908. 10 BHBETSSHBET 3.

W. D. & L. G. HUSH.

Patented Nov. 17, 1908.

'10 BHEETSSHF-ET 4.

4 zUar r/wj- Huge W 2 2 Leon 0'. W9

W D Lu G:

KNITTING MACHINE.

AEELLQAMQN mun mu 9, mos

10 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Patented Nov. 17, 1908:

W. D. & L, OFHUSE.

KNITTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1906 A 904,484) Patented Nov. 17, 1908. l0 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

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W.'D. & L. G. HUSE.

KNITTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1906.

904,484. Patented Nov. 17, 1908.

10 SHEETS-SHEET ,7.

W'. 11. & L. 0. HUSE.

KNITTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED HAY 9, 1906.-

Patented Nov. 17,1908.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

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W. D. & L. G. H'USE.

KNITTING MAGHINB. APPLICATION ,PILBD my 9, 1906.

Patented Nov. 17,1908.

10 BHEETBSHEBT 10.

a'nventova fl/minnow dmww WARREN D. HUSE AND LEON G. HUSE, LAGONIA UNITED srarns PATENT OFFICE.

, NEW HAMhSHlRE, ASSIGNQRS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO vTHE PARAMOUNT KNITTING'COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF ILLI- NOIS.

KNITTING-MACHINE Specification of Letters Batent.

Patented No 17, 1908 Continuation of application Serial No. 46.004, filed February 4, 1901. This application filed May 9, '1906. Serial No. 315,901.

To all whom it may concern:

lie it known that we, \VAnunN D. llUsr: and LEON (J. HUsn, citizens of the United States, and residents of Laconia, in the county of Belknap, and State of New Hampshire, have invented an Improvement in- Knittii'ig-Machines, of which the following description, in connection witlrthe accom-- panymg drawings, is a SPeClfiCtit-l0Il,l1k8 letters on the drawings representing like parts.

The invention herein set forth has for its object the production, of a complete automatic knitting machine primarily designed for the knitting of stockings.

'The machine enables thecompletc article, such as a stocking, to be knit from-one end to the other entirely automatically, so that all that is required is to keep the machine supplied with the proper grams, to separate the stockings which come from the machine in a continuous web, and then to perform such simple operations as the stitching 0r looping togetherof the opening left at the too end.

The present invention it is believed combines in a single autoi'natic machine all the various features necessary to make a commercial stocking with the ribbed leg with reinforced toe and heel portions'of proper and proportionate weight throughout and of sightly appearance when finished and when worn.

- The machine is adapted to make a. stocking such as described in United States Patent No. 626,864, granted J un'e 13, 1899, although the elasticity of the machine in the adjustments and timing and combinations of its various elements is such that the range and character of work capable of being performed by it automatically is by no means limited to the character of stocking set forth in the said patent, but the said patent is an excellent illustration of the character of work capable ofbeing performed automatically upon this machine.

The stocking of the aforesaidpatent is, save for the necessary closing seam of the toe, knit in one seamless web, with the toe, foot. and heel portions formed of' plain knitting, and the leg portion of ribbed knitting. Since in forming the'ribbed leg more stitches are made in a course than are made in forming the plain circular portion of the foot, it will be seen, as explained in the said patent, that unless provisions were made to compensate for the increased number of stitches thus formed the ribbed leg would be too large and unsightly. The leg portion of the stocking is accordingly formed in said patent of a thread sutticiently finer than that used in the foot portion to compensate for the increased number of stitches, and the object of the invention of the said patent was a seamless stocking in which the foot portion was knit in plain stitch, the leg porknitting needles, the one for the production of plain circular work and reciprocating work, the two combined for the production of ribbed work, and means for controlling the separate and conjoint operation of the said sets of needles, all from pattern mech anism, so that either plain circular, reciprocating, narrowing and widening, or ribbed knitting may be performed upon the machine at and during such periods as may be predetermined. I lVeb holders or sinkers for the set of needles for performing the plain and reciprocating work over which the thread is at times measured off, and which serve to hold down the knitted web especially during plain knitting. Take-up mechanism supported by the knitted web, additional. weights for said take-up mechanism to increase its taking up efi'ect, and means for automatically applying either said take-up mechanism, or said weights to said take-up mechanism, or said take-up mechanism and the weights at and duringv such periods as may be predetermined. Auxiliary take-up mechanism or grab mechanism for meeting the requirements occasioned in the taking up determined. Thread supplying mechanism with provisions for automatically changing, adding or omitting threads of desired Weight or quality at predetermined times, whereby i desired portions of the stocking may be re-v inforced or formed of thread offdifterent character or quality. Mechanism for auto-. matically controlling the .length of the stitch and'hence the elasticity or tension of 1a the knitted web, whereby the shape of the stocking may be controlled. Mechanism for automatically changing at predetermined times the speed of the knitting machine to accommodate it to the character of knitting vbeing performed thereon. These and other features of the invention, combined as set forth in the'appended claims, constitute the invention and result in the production of a needles in narrowing and widening are supplied preferably with a coarse thread, the machine running at a comparatively slow speed as required in reciprocating work.

1 Upon thecompletion of the toe pouch the thread is preferably changed to a finer quality, and the plain foot portion knit in 7 complete circular courses, thev speed of the machine being increased at the same time to a higher speed. When the heel pouch is reached the speed e f themachine is decreased, a change of yarn preferably effected, and a heel pouch formed in the usual way by narrowing and widening. On completion of the heel pouch the plain circular knitting 'is resumed at high speed and a changed thread made,. if desired, to constitute an ankle portion, if a plain ankle portion is desired. If theribbed leg is to be formed directly on completion of the heel pouch then the dial needles arethrown into action, a.

change to a finer thread effected, the speed of the machine increased, and the size of the stitch adjusted to produce a ribbed leg of the requisite elasticity and weight. The entire operation throughout is automatic and con-' tinuous, and in fact upon the completion of the stocking the change is automatically effected to plain circular web to form a: short connecting web between the end of one stocking and'the toe of the succeeding stocking, so

that the stockings are knit in one continuous web. It is to'be understood, however, that the regulation, employment, timing and adjustment of all the mechanisms is such as to make the machine capableof performing a very great Variety of work.

Figure 1, in left-hand elevation, represents our improved machine, the lower part of the side frame and part of the-pattern 66 surface being omitted, the parts of the machine occupying that position in the formation of the stocking after the machine has laid two or three courses of rib knitting in the starting of the leg, the machine being supposed to be running at its fast speed and the cam cylinder to be revolving continuously in the same direction; Fig. 2 is a partial front elevation of said machine; Fig. 3

is a sectional elevation on line 3-3, Fig. 2,

looking to the left; Figs. 3 and 3 are details in side and edge views of the switch lever 6 and its connected switch to be de-. scribed; Fig. 4 is a rear side elevation of the machine represented in Fig.- 1; Fig. 5 is a top or plan view ofthe machine represented in Fig. 1 below the dotted line 5-5, Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a top View of the upper part of the 1nachine omitted from Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical section in substantially the line 77, Fig. 5, showing the stationary needle-cylinder, its n edles, the cam-cylinder, devices for moving the needles into or out of position for toe orheel work, the dial-needlebed and the dial cam plate with its locking device and part of the grab, said section being in line wherein the dial needles are shown as retracted and the cylinder needles in their normal positions; Fig. 8 is a similar section but in a line substantially at right angles to the section in Fig.7, said figure being made chiefly to represen-t the dial and cylinder needles in knitting position; F ig.- 8 is an underside view of the sinker actuating cam ring; Fig. 8 is an underside view of the dial needle cam; Fig. 8 shows a sinker detached; Fig. 9 is a section on the line 99, Fig. '7, some of the parts being broken out to better disclose parts lying underneath, the thread guides being entirely omitted; Fig. 10 is a detail showing the knitting cam of the cam cylinder together with adevice for changing its position to govern the length of stitch; Fig. 11 is a section of Fig. 10 in the line 1111; Fig. 12 is a detail showing thirteen of the twenty-five barslof the pattern surface, the bar f being at the top and the bar f at the bottom; Fig. 13 is -a similar view of the remaining bars of the pattern surface, the bar f being at the top, said two figures together representing the entire pattern surface laid out fiat; Fig. 14 shows the contnolling chain hanging on its sprocket wheel together wlth the various lumps car- .ried it to control the time of action and inaction of the pawl for imparting motion to the pattern surface, said chain being partially broken out; Fig. 15 represents a righthandend vlew of the cylinder carrying the' -ribs for simultaneously putting out ofac tion the needles which are not to be used in reciprocating knit-ting, Fig. 16 is a section of said cylinder; Fig. 17 is a detail in plan View. showing the movable stand for carryingthe thread guides and holders oi catch- T is a top plan view of a portion of the take-- up for controlling the circular knitted fabri Fig. 19 1s a portion of the take-up for controlling the fabric produced. by reciprocating knitting; Figs. and 21 show details of devices instrumental in changing the direction of movement of the cam cylinder for circular and reciprocating knitting and put.- ting into and out of operation the pawl mechanism for moving one of the pattern cylinders.

The framework herein represented consists essentially of side plates A of suitable shape to stand upon the floor,- said-plates being connected at their upper end in suitable manner by a tie plate A, it serving the purpose. in connection with other suitable legs,

- to keep the side plates in suitable position and also to support the working parts of the machine.

Erin-ted upon the tie plate as herein ii resented. at its opposite sides are suitable stands it, which, in turn, support cross-bars or beams A each provided at its outer face with a series of vertical grooves for the reeeption ot' a series of jacks. to be described, said jacks being retained in their grooves by means of cap plates A", securedto said cross bars by suitable bolts A, Fig. 2. The cross bars support in turn a series of suitable posts, as-A. herein represented as four in number. said posts being connected at their upper ends with the top plate A of the .machine.

The top plate, as herein represented, has erected upon it suitable uprights A two or. more, which uprights sustain at their upper ends a. rigid cross bar A, having a suitable hole through which is extended a rod A said rod being screw threaded at its upper end and having applied to it a nut A by which to adjust the position of said rod vertically in said bar, said rod below said nut and between it and said bar A being clamped by a clamping screw A passed through the split hub of a lever A, slotted at one end, see Fig. 6, to receive a clamp screw A by which to turn said rod more or less, as may be desired, and with it the dial needle bed A, connected to the lower end of said rodby a suitable bolt A, see Fig. 7, the adjustment otthis rod being necessary in order to place the grooves in the dial plate into proper positions with relation to the grooves in the needle cylinder to be described, the vertical adjustment of the rod enabling the proper plane to be gained for the reciprocation ofthe dial needles with relation to the vertical movementsot the cylinder needles.

The rod A is surrounded by asleeve B,

thelower end of wh ch is represented in Fig. 7 as extended to meet the flanged hub i of the dial cam plate B said dial cam plate having a suitable groove 6, the shape of which is best represented in Fig. 9 by dotted lines and in Fig. 8 This groove (litters from usual grooves in usual dial cams for the reason that the groove is made to reciprocate the needles not only when the dial cam revolves, but also when it reciprocates, at which time, however, the position of the cams with respect -to the thread guides has been so changed, as will hereinafter appear, that the dial needles do not receive yarn or thread.

The sleeve B at its lower end just above the dial cam plate has clamped upon it by a clamp screw 15 a split hub 13*, said hub having at its lower end a suitable ear B in which is placed a locking device B, herein represented as a rod guided at its upper end in a plate B interposed between the upper end of the split hub and a suitable shoulder B of the sleeve, see Fig. 7, said lorbing device being surrounded by a spring lf' which normally acts to depress the rod that it may engage a suitable hole or notch 7) in the upper side of the dial cam plate. This limiting device has-two like shoulders 7), between which there is a space in which is entered one end of a dial locking device, said device being represented as a lever 5 best shown in Fig. 2, pivoted at b and having its longer outer end bent laterally and n'o'vided with a laterally extended toe, best shown in Fig. 5, said toe being acted upon at the proper time by a cam part b, said (am being formed on the hub of a toothed wheel Z)", having, see Figs. 2, 3 and 5, a se" ries of legs 2 and 3, the legs 3 being longer than the legs 2; the said Wheel having, as herein represented, four short legs and two long ones.

The toothed wheel is moved to turn about a stud the rotation of which, except when moved positively is restrained by means of a suitable friction deviceor spring, as 7f", Figs. 2 and 5'. This toothed wheel and its cam hub is rotated intermittingly whenever it is desired to change from rib to. reciproeating or plain circular knitting to rock lever if, said lever irr'its movements lifting the locking device from the hole Z), thus permitting the dial cam plate to remain at rest 'while the sleeve carrying the dial locking device continues its movement, said locking device in the same rotation of the sleeve entering the hole b, thereby again locking and carrying with it the dial cam plate, said plate at such time occupying its inoperative position, or a'position wherein the cam groove throws out the needles at a point opposite that where the cylinder needles are being fed with thread, so that locked in its ii'ioperative position said dial cam plate, although reciprocating the dial needles, does not cause them to take thread, said needles being thereby held practically in their inoperative position while toe and heel knitting and plain circular knitting is being done.

When it desired to resume rib knitting, that is, when the dial needles are to be reciprocated in such a position relative to the thread guides that they shall receive thread, the dial locking device again operated by its cam Yfi'to disconnectthe-pin B from the hole I), whereupon the dial cam plate remains stationary with the dial plate A until the-sleeve carrying the pin B has moved to engage the pin '13 with the other hole b in the dial cam plate, at which time the dial cam plate is again locked in position to cause the dial needles to take thread and knit, the requisite movement of the dial locking device being under control of a pattern mechanism as willhereinafter appear.

The sleeve B, referredto, has clamped upon it by a. suitable clamp screw B Fig; 3, the hub of a bobbin carrier B, said carrier being herein represented as provided with. three bobbins, B, B andB the bobbin B being supposed to contain thread for the heel to be used in the production of the heel andtoe, the bobbin B containing thrcad for the production of the foot and ankle provided it is desired to make the ankle of the stocking of a thread like that used in the foot, while the bobbin B is supposed to have a liner thread which is used alone in the production of the ribbed leg. Below the hub of the bobbin carrier B the said sleeve has clamped upon it by a suitable clamp screw 13, the split hub of an arm B which is connected by suitable setserews, as I),

Fig. 3, to the cam cylinder to thereby afford proper steadying support for the said sleeve and the parts connected with it.

The-cam cylinder B is capable of being both rceiprocatedaml rotated, as will be described, and taking with it the bobbin carrying ring and the dial needle canrplate except at certain intervals whenthe. dial cam plate is unlocked temporarily, as already. indicated, in order that its position 7 may be changed with relation to the needle actuating cam of the cam cylinder, and thread guides. g

The (ram cylinder 13 is provided with teeth, as represented in Fig. 5, avhich are engaged by the teeth of a toothed wheel B flush with the upper surface of the plate A and mounted on a shaft. B shown in Fi 2 extended througha sleeve-like bearing .13 connected with a part of the framework of the machine, said shaft having at its lower end a bevel gear B which is engaged by a.

bevel gear B fast on the cam cylinder moving shaft 13, provided, see Fig. 2, with two loose gears B and B, said gears havother alternately ing at their inner'sides suitable openings or holes to receive suitable pins B extended from a collar plate B constituting a clutch, said plate being splined on said shaft and movable longitudinally thereon between said loose gears, whereby the said gears B or B will be locked to and will impart their motion to the shaft B Mounted in suitable bearings in the machine frame is the power shaft B carrying at its outer end the two' loose pulleys B and B each driven by separate belt or other driving connections at different speeds. Between said pulleys B and B is mounted any suitable form of clutch, as l3 splined to said shaft B3", whereby either of said pulleys B or B may be connected to and constitute the driver of the shaft 13 to thereby vary the speed. Fixed to rotate with the shaft B is the gear 13, Fig. 3, in constant engagement with the gear loose on the shaft B, and mounted subjacent the gear B and intermeshing therew'th is the lnt'ermediate gear B which in turn is in engagement wlth the gear B Thus t Wlll be seen that the gear B is given continuous motion from the power shaft through the gears B, B and 13 Suitably, guided in bearings or guides B in the machine frame is the rack 13*", connected at its lower end by the link 13 to the gear B whereby the rack is given a constantreciprocating motion, and said rack is 111 mesh with the gear B loose on the shaft 13, thus the two gears B and B loose on the shaft B, are given motion, the former a constantly rotating, and the latter a constantly oscillating motion, and the more ment of the one or the other of said gears is im )arted to shaft B according to which of them'is connected to the clutch B, from which it will be evident that the cam cylinder may be given a rotary or reciprocating movement as desired, and by means of the difierent speeds given to the pulleys l5 and B such movements of the cam-cylinder may be made fast or slow as conditions require, through the clutch B. This invention is not limited, however, to any particular construction of the clutches for connecting the pulleys B andv B to the power shaft or the'gcars B and B to the shaft B, as we may employ instead any usual speed changing gearing capable of operating the shaft at two different speeds,

the essence of this feature being that thebhange speed is under thecontrol of the pattern mechanism and is therefore automatically effected at predetermined times.

A single cam for reciprocating the cylinder needles is preferably employed in the cam cylinder, one side oflsaid cam being operative for circular work, and both sides of said cam' beinq operative one after the dining reciprocating work.

' is to. its inner side by steel ring C,.the upper side of which consti- 30 the cam cylinder.

Devices cotiperating with said cam for antomati'cally controlling the length of stitch are also provided, and these devices are under the control of the pattern mechanism,

, so that the length of the stitch may beau- V providea pro Jer fitting ribbed leg. This.v *cam cylinder surrounds a needle cylinder C which is grooved to receive the latch needles 0, said cam cylinder having attached suitable screws, as C", a

tutes for most of its ength a rest upon which -.thebutts of the needles after having been reciprocated to knit stand in their normal position. This ring is cut out at one part, as

represented by dotted lines in Fig. 10, to

constitute a space into. which the butts of the needles may bedepressedwhen they take thread toknit, said depression having cooperating with it a suitable knitting cam, as C, shown by dotted lines in Fig. 10 and in section in Fig. 11, said cam being suitably attached, as by a'screw to aslide C fitted into a suitable groove in the inner wall of This slide receives in it a stud screw 0' which isembraced back of its head bythe slotted end of a suitablelever or device C, shown in elevation in Fig. 10

andinsection in Fig. 1 1, and pivoted upon a stud screw C, the outer end of the lever being acted upon by a suitable cam C Figs.

7 and 10, formed onthe tubular end ofa -cam sleeve C mounted. upon astud screw C, the outer end of the sleeve having a 40 series of teeth, as C, said teeth in the rotation of the cam cylinder striking at times one after another a stitch length regulator, see'Fig. 7,1'ep1'esented a pin 4 provided at its inner side with a projection 4*, see dotted lines Fig.7. said pin being lifted by or tl'n-ough a suitable slide bar 5 connected to the pin 4 located inone of the grooves of the cross bar A hereinbefore described, said bar occupying a position between the needle jacks to be described,thelowerend of said bar being acted upon by a pin or projection ot-a pattern surface at suitable times when the length of stitch is to be changed.

The mechanism for securing the automatic control of the length of the stitcl'i herein described is the preferred form, but this feature of the invention is not to be limited to the particular mechanism nor 80 otherwise than called for by the claims.

"The length of the stitch is determined by the amount of thread drawn oil by the needle in making the stitch. In ribbed work the cylinderncedles draw the thread over the dial needles, and in plain work the yet it is obvious the part 8 of the Intent of the cam effect-ing in the length of the stitch,

thread is drawn over the edge of the cylinder or-overweb holders or smkers, such as herein provided. Hence the length of the stitch, according to the circumstances, can be changed 1n various ways, among which is themethod herein described of'lengthening the downward movement of the cylinder needles.

l/Vhile the change in the length of the stitch is particularly described herein as being eflected upon the change from one kind of knitting to another, such as from plain to ribbed, and also during the progress of one kind of knitting,

that since this mechanism is under the control of the pattern mechanism that the change may be made automatically atsuch times as may be desired.

.V1ewing cam C referred to stocking proper is comm need at the toe pouch, and when the stocking is so commenced the'toe of the lever (3 stands on the high part 7 of thecam C, and at that time the stitch is the longest made, the thread. used being usually the coarsest or' heaviest thread used in the formation of the stocking. The cam C" parts? opeI-,

stands in this position with its at-ive on the lever C while the toe and the heel, and if desired the foot and the ankle, if an a-likle is formed on a stocking, are being knit,-only the cylinder needles'at such time operating. be formed it must be started with a short stitch and the dial cam needles must be put into operative position between the change from plain stitch knitting to rib knitting, and preparatory to this change of knitting the cam C is moved one step, letting the toe of the lever C I cam between the point 7 and S, and the dial needles having been put into operative position, the cam C is moved again permitting cam to act upon the toe of the lever and put the knitting cam inits highest position to make the shortest stitch, this shortest stitch being made as the first course of rib knitting is oined to a previous course of-plain stitch knitting. formation of the leg the cam C" is moved, as herein represented, three times. each movea slight increase the part 9 of the cam coming into operative position with the toe of the lever C substantially as the leg is finished, such change of the lever gradually mcreasing the length of stitch in the leg to thereby give to the leg greater elasticity that it may lit the calf. The leg having been finished, we usually knit several courses of plain knitting preparatory to again commencing a toe, thus connectingthe entire series oi stdckings in a \veb, and to commencc this plain circular knitting following such as in the ribbed leg,

Fig. 10, it will be seen that the is irregular in shape. It will be understo d herein that the \V hen the ribbed leg is to meet the flat portion of the During the needles, said cam needles, are all put their normal position just before the lift its latch through the the completion of the top of the leg it is necessary to again throw the dial needles out 01": operative position, and. during this time the part IO'ot the cam C comes under the toe of the lever C, and the change of needles having been eil'ected the part 7 immediately comes into operative position tion from which this description was started, and it stands there for a .suliicient length of time to enable the toe, the foot, the heel, and as before stated, the plain knitting of the ankle, if used, to be carried on.

Viewing Fig. 10, it will be noticed that a single cam is used for operating the cylinder presenting two faces for the reason that at times the cam cylinder is employed to knit circular web, and at other times flat web, as when knitting toes and heels, so that earn are used to depress the needles. The ring presents at opposite sides of its depression in which the butts of the needles descend, suitable projections, as 12, see Fig. 1.0 ich elevate the needles slightly above needles are depressed to take yarn and form loops, such elevation putting the latches of the needles always high enough to pass through any loops that might be upon them, so that when a needle next descends its hook having taken a thread, said thread will be drawn through the loop then under the latch, for it the needle was not elevated sufliciently to loop on its shank the eedle would take two loops in its hook and a tuck stitch would be formed. .The outer end of the lever'C is normally kept pressed against the cam referred to by a suitable spring 13, represented'in Fig. 7.

The cylinder needles which it is not desired to use in the, knitting of toes and heels, and consequently referred to as inactive elevated or inactive position where they remain during movement of the machine for narrowing and widening. The endmost nee: dies of the series used for heel and toe knitting are put out of operation, one or' more as desired, at the end of each reciprocation, according to the abruptness of the narrowing desired, until the course in the toe and heel containing the fewest needles is reached, when the needles that have been put succes sively out of operation in narrowing are gradually brought back into operation to make the complemental half forthe heel or toe, after which all the needles are automatically put into their active position and encular knitting is resumed. l

The levers controlled by the pattern mechanism to put the inactive needles iutotheir inoperative position are of peculiar and novel construction, said levers, as herein shown, icing pivoted each nnon a sui lo under the toe of the lever G, the posiboth inclined faces of the of the ring automatically into their wire bent in ring form, each lever having a shoulder which is upper end of a slide-bar coupled at its lower end with a jack, the foot of which is suitably shaped to be acted upon, as herein shown, by a cam part of the pattern surface, said jacks being represented as located at each side of the needle cylinder in two rows, the jacks in each row. standing in line one with the other, thereby to enable the bars of the pattern surface to be made straight and to be linked together in the form of a chain, all as will hereinafter more fully appear.

The needles 0 are of the latched variety, and each needle iscomposed of a piece of wire suitably bent, as at c, to form a nib, the wire being prolonged below said nib to form a tail 0 said tail being bent to pro- 7 vide a notch c which may be entered at-the a suitable lever, as c", as to put one of the needles used in narrowing and widening into its inoperative position, said lever remaining in engagement with the needle in its inoperative position until the needle is to be restored to its operative position. The tail of the needle for the greater part of its proper times by when it is desired length is ollset to contact with the inner side depression before having the described, other portions of the needle beengaged by a lip at the tween said offset portion contacting with the bottom of the grooves in the needle cylinder. The jacks c, Fig. v7, alike at each side of the machine, so it will be unnecessary to refer specifically to but one set. These jacks are alike in two sets, one set at each side of the machine, see Fig. 9, and the jacks at each side stand substantially in the same line, the jacks fitting-grooves in the crossbar A and being retained therein, as stated, by the plate A. The lowerends of these jacks are tapered, as at 0 and said tapered lower ends are normally kept depressedtoward the pattern surface, to be described,

by'means of suitable springs 0-, connected each at one end with a projection v of the jack, and at its opposite end witha suitable pin (:,0f :1 plate 0 suitably attachcd to the plate A*. A third arm o of each jack has a projection c which enters a notch in the lower end of a. slide 0, fitted to be inoyed up and down in a suitable groove made in a circular flanged part 0 of the plate fixed by suitable screws 0" to a casting 1 suitably bolted at to the cross-bar the central part of said plate o being'hol low to permit the )assage of the knitted stocking through it from the interior of the needle cylinder, said plate also supporting in fixed position by-suitablc lower end of the needle cylinder.

A suitable ring a is applied externally to the flange part4: of the-plate said ring forming a cap or cover to retain the slides e iu the grooves of thc'tlanged part .crews 0'. the

Herein we have represented a jack 0- for each'needle used in the machine, and each ack may actuate a suitable slide of.

Each slide is notched near its upper end, see

flanged part, the outer-end of each leverbeing at a point above said pivotal ring 0 connected with a spring d, in turn-con nected with asuit-able pin d fast in, a plate d suitably pinned at rl to apart of the ring 0 said springs normally acting to keep the .20 free ends of the levers 0 down and out of engagement with the notches inthe tails of the'needles v As hereinbefore stated, the machine herein being described is illustrated as provided .25 With a lever 0* for each needle, but in prac tice in this present machine where only circular Work and reciprocatmg knitting 1s being done, said levers do not control all of the needles, as, for instance, there are twelve needles which occupy a central position with relation'to the entire bank of needles used for narrowing and widening in reciprocating knitting which'are not actuated by the levers.

When circular knitting is being done and it is desired to start i'eciprocatinq knitting for'heel and toe work as herein represented, one half of theentire number of needles are at once elevated into their inoperative po- 40 sition by or through the levers ct, all the jacks contained at one side of the'machine being at such time acted upon and lifted simultaneously by a projection (Z see Figs.

1 and 2, extending longitudinally of a cylinder d, having its shaft or journals sus tained in the stands A one end of the shaft .ca'rrying said cylinder being provided out side said stand with a ratchet toothed whee-l (Z which, when the needles not to he used so in narrowing and widening are to be thrown out of operation, is engaged by a suitable pawl (Z which brings the projection. (Z simultaneously under all the jacks .'at that side of the machine and lifts the levers 0 so '55 that they enter the notches of the tails of the needles, lifting all said needles and putting them. into their inoperative position where they stand while reciprocating'knitting is being done. The remaining portion of the needles are employed to narrow and widen respectively in the formation of the toe and heel pouches, and these needles must be, for narrowing, decreased in their number at each reciprocating stroke of the cun e5 cylinder, so-provision must be and has been herein made for lifting into their inopera' tive position one or-inore needles ofthe series of needles used for narrowing at the end of each reciprocating stroke of the cam cylinder. 'The purpose of putting these needles. into their inoperative positions and again back into their operative positions is' ,well understood, and we may putone or two needles, as desired,.simultaneously into their inoperative or into their operative position in any manner now commonly practiced in knitting machines. To control these needles through their jacksand put them into their proper positions respectively for narrowing and widening, we have provided n pattern surface, herein represented as a chain D composed of twenty six bars D, each bar having suitable ears to receive screws, as D*,

to thereby join the plates together in an endlesschain.

The chain may be composed of any desired number of bars, and it is hung on a suitable shaft 1), carrying sprockets and -having at one end an attached ratchet wheel I), which when reciprocating knitting is being done is a engaged by a suitable pawl D carried by a ,lever D pivoted at D on the fixed part of the framework, and-having at its lower end a roller or other stud D which is acted upon by a cam D connected to or moving with the toothed wheel B The bars ofthe pattern surface which are usedfor putting into their inoperative position and restoring to their operative position the needles used in heel and toe knitting are provided each with acting faces or blocks, as D, suitably united to the opposite ends of the bars, eachblock presenting preferably a plurality of shoulders or inclines 14. The successive shoulders on the opposite blocks are staggered and are brought successively closer to the center of the length of the bars that said shoulders may act in succession at the ends of the series of needles being used in narrowing. to puttheneedles at the ends of one or more at a time, to put them into their inoperative and to again let them assume their operative position, is not new, so this part of this invention need not be herein further described.

During the narrowing and widening operations the pattern surface or chain D was 1st.

moved step-by-step through the pawl D actuated as already described from the cam D but in the formation of circular work such continued movement becomes unnecessary, for which reason means have been provided to so control the action of the pawl, as to permit the pattern chain to remain at rest until such time as it may be needed to cause the actuation of some adjunct ot the machine as will appear.

Pivotally connected to the rear end of the machine frame, at in position above the pattern chain D, is a lever 9 having pivoted to its free end a pawl controller I) provided with an ear 9 extended therefrom (Fig. l)

"to normally engage beneath the. pawl D under the tension of spring 9*. Depending from the lever g in position to engage a suitable pin or pro ection on the pattern chain D is an arm or finger P, which being lifted by the pin or projection on the pattern chain raises said lever 4 and lifts the 'pawl D out of actuating contact with the ratchet wheel I), and the pattern chain remains at rest. In order to again start the pattern chain, we provide a constantly moving controller chain f Figs. 3, l and l l, comprising any usual'iorm of pattern surface, preferably as an endless chain passing over the wheel f and having a ratchet wheel f which is engaged by a pawl f arried by a lever f pivoted at f and having its lower end in the path of a. suitable projection or pin e carried by the constantly rotating gear B by which the chain is constantly moved under a controlling lever 7' adapted to be raised at times by projections, as f, on the chain f.

The pawl controller D below the ear 9 has a depending trip arm f in the form of an inclined end, Fig. 4, which when the pawl D rests upon the car 5 is in the path of movement of the controlling lever f, the rise of which under the call of the pattern or chain 7 moves the pawl contrpller on its pivot g and carries the ear 9 from under the pawl D, allowing the latter to engage the ratchet wheel D and a ain move .the main pattern chain D. It wi l-be seen from this construction that by pro er disposition of risers on the controller chain 7 andprovision of pins or projections on the main pattern chain to act upon the finger F, that the said main chain can be made to move or dwell at pleasure, and advantage is taken of The main pattern c-hainD is g, and the parts will so remain until a riser on the constantly moving controller chain f comes under the controller lever 7 where upon, the pawl controller D will be tripped to drop the pawl. D into engagement with the ratchet wheel D, thus starting the main pat-tern chain D. Mounted in an appropriate support on the main frame, as sleeve (2 1s a rock-shaft a, carrying an arm 6, which is in the path of movement ot a suitable riser on the now moving main pattern chain.

Secured to the opposite end of the rock-shaft e is the depending arm e see Figs. 3 and l, having joined to it a radius bar c provided at or near its free end, at oneside, see Fig. 5, with a cam projection The front end of said radius bar rests on a suitable fixed shoulder c, Fig. 3, in which is entered a stud screw 6 upon which is mounted the hub of a shifting lever e the hub of said lever being surrounded. by saring a, see 2 and 5, the outer end of which'abuts against a suitable washer a fast upon the outer end of the stud so that said lever may be moved laterally upon said stud, the said spring normally moving the lever in opposition to the cam on the radius bar 6 The 4 lever a is slid to the right, viewing Fig. 5, by the cam projection c of the bar 0 when the rock-shaft e" is moved by the pin or riser on the main pattern chain passing under the arm a as will be obvious. Upon the lever e is mounted aslotted switch 6, Figs. 3 and 3*, dagger pointed at each end, apd occupying the osition shown in Fig. 3 by dotted lines an pivoted on a stud e in said lever, the slot of the switch being entered by a stop pin a which controls the extent of movesecured to the toothed gear Pr, in the rotation of said wheel-will meet the upper edge 50 of the switch at its right hand side, and acting on said switch turns said lever e on its stud moving its upper end to the right in Fig. 3.

The upper end of the lever 0' stands in a slot of the clutch controlling lever e piv oied at c Fig. 5, and moves said clutch con- The lever c having operated the clutch and put it into engagement with the con- .stantly reciprocating toothed wheel 13, the radius'bar c is retracted by the riser pass-- ing from beneath the arm e letting the spring c", surrounding the hub of said lever, restore it to its normal position, it standing there until the clutch is to be again-changed to engage the constantly rotating toothed gear B to-eifect the rotation of the cam cylinder for knitting circular work.

During reciprocating knitting the main pattern chain continues to be moved stepby-step to effect the proper, narrowing and widening of the fabric to form the heel or toe, and as the last bar of the widening portion of the pattern chain completes the heelor toe pouch all the needles are thrown into action by means to be described, and the motion of the am cylinder is changed from rc ciprocating to circular in the following manner. Tn the movement of the pattern surface a pin in the bar f meets the lever 0. before described, and e 'azts again through the radius bar arid its connected parts. as described. the lateral movement of the lever c to put its switch into position to be acted upon by the pin (fs carried by the wheel B, as before. but at this time it will be understood that the switch having been shifted hr moved by the pin 0" occupies a position just opposite that represented in Fig. 3' by dotted lilies, so'that the pin 0 in descending passes the upper inclined end t) of the dagger of the switch opposite the inclined part and turns the shifting lever ina direction to move theclutell-controlling lever (1 from its position with the clutch 13' in engagement with the constantly reciprocating toothed wheel I?" putting it into engagement with the constantly rotating toothed wheel B to thus impart to theshafl 15' a contiir uous motion of rotation for circular knitting.

Prior to the coinmencement of reciprocating knitting it is necessary to raise part of the needles to an inactive position. and as already indicated this is done by means of a pattern cylinder (7 suitably journaled in the machine frame. aml provided with a pattern or raising bar adapted on the rot: ion of the cylinder to engage the ends ofinc lift-- crs or jacks the said cylinders being rotated by means of ratchet wheel (F engaged by a pawl (i operated by the lever from the cam on the lmb of the intermediate gear B. It is evident that the cylinder 1] must be rotated only at intervals, when for on the clutch shifter c instance part of the needles are to be raised out of action by the hard on the commencement of reciprocating knitting and again whenthe needles are all to be made active on the commencement of rotary work. To thus regulate the actuation of the pattern cylinder (1. we provide a pawl lifter pivoted at d", to the free end of a lever (l pivoted at a to the machine frame, the said pawl""fter being provided at its lower end with a detent 5 normally.projected beneath the pawl (1. by a spring and on the lever (1 we provide a lifter the lower end of which, when a bar (1 on the pattern cylinder (1 is in pos tion to pass on its next movement beneath the needle jacks, is adapted to be engaged by a pin or lifter J Projecting from the 'side of the pawl lifter J is an arm d". which engages the shifting lever c, and as such shifting lever is moved bodily to the right in l ig. '3 when changing from rotary to reciprocating movement, it evident that the pawl lifter (1? will be pulled from under the pawl c aml the latter will actuate the cylinder. it is necessary.'when the cylinder 1] has been turned sulticiently to place a bar 1/ beneath the needle jacks. that the said cylinder be held stationary during the entireformation of the heel or toe. or during narrowing and widening, and to 'ctl'ect this dwell ofthe cylinder we provide a second pawl lifter in fast. to a slide bar In. adapted to move lengthwise It will be noticed that the second pawl lifter while adapted to slide on the clutch shifter. moves with said shifter as the latter swings on its pivot 0 thus when the clutch is moved from the posi tion shownby Fig. '3. where it is engaged with the constantly rotating gear lfi. to the position with the clutch in engagement with the reciprocating gear lb" the second pawl lifter is moved beneath the pawl 1. aml the cylinder (1 remains idle. The slide in is provided with one or more notches m which. while reciprocating knitting is going on are engaged by the shifting lever P. so that on the first movement of the shifting lever c bodily on its supporting stud c the second pawl lifter is moved from under the pawl s and the cylinder is then rotated to take the bar 1? from beneath the needle jacks, thus throwing that half of the needles that remained idle during reciprocating knitting into action.

lt is desirable during the formation of the heel and toe that the reciprocations of the cam cylinder shall be slow. as compared with the movement of said cylinder during circular work, and to automatically effect this change of speed as the change of movement in thecam cylinder is made. we provide on the rear part of the frame proper supports for a rock-shaft 2', carryingain arm 2" normally pressed toward the main pattern chaiu'by a spripg i, and we xpltovide on the main pattern chain a suitable 7 shoe.

. the end opposite the arm we provide an shoe or switch 1' pivoted at 2' (Fig. 3), the

of parts shown by Fig. 3 the switch will upper end of the lever 2' engages the end of pin or riser to turn the shaft 2' as the said user or pin passes-beneath the arm 2 On actuating arm 2" which bears against an in-" clined projection 2' on the hub of a speed lever i", normally pressed toward the actuating arm by a spring 2' 9, Fig. l. The lower end of said speed lever is normally out of the path of movement of the pin 6 on the gear B, but when said lever is moved bodily sidewise against the tension of the spring 5 by the movement of the actuating arm 2', the lower end of the speed lever is placed in the path of the said pin 0 On the lower end of the speed lever is a wedge shaped swinging movement of the shoe or switch on said lever being limited by apm a in a slot 1n the upper portion of said switch or lVhen the speed lever is moved to place its lower end in the path of the pin 6 on the gear B the said speed lever will be moved to the left or to the right in Fig. 3, depending upon which side of the switch is engaged by the pin 0 In the disposition be engaged on its right hand side'by the pin e thereby moving the upperend of the speed lever to the right, and as the pin 6 travels over the edge of the switch, it will turn the same to leave it in the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3, so that on the next engagement of the shoe or switch with the pin a, which is determined by the pattern on the main pattern chain, as already pointed out, the upper end of the, speed lever will. be .moved to the left. The

the bell crank lever i pivoted at 6 and having abifurcated arm i which engages the clutch 13 From this construction it will be seen that as the speed lever is moved the'clutch B is put into engagement with one or the other of .pulleys B and 13 to thereby change the speed and. that such change of speed is directlvunder the control of the main pattern chain. \Vhile the change-of speed is thus described taking place upon the change from reciprocating to circular knitting. and vice versa, it is obvious that since the speed changing mechanism is controlled by the pattern surface, it may be changed at such other times as may be desired or found to be of advantage owing to the character of the work.

Mechanism for taking up the knitted web, comprising av main take-up with additional -weights, and an auxiliary take-up or grab, all automatically controlled by means of the pattern cylinder, constitute one of the features ofthe machine.

The cam D which as previously noted, is connected with and driven by the gear I yoke.

13', operates the lever D which is pivoted on the frame of the machine at I). The

lever D carries at one end a roller stud D riding on the said cam D l -and at its opposite end thepawl D which engages a ratchet wheel I) fast on a shaft D A detent pawl D prevents reverse rotation of the ratchet I)". The shaft D is mounted in the bearing blocks D on the cross-bar D of the main frame, and carries between the bearings a scored or fluted roll 1), constituting the main or driving member of the take-up mechanism 'for the knitted web. The roll D has cooperating with it a second fluted roll D mounted. in bearing blocks D which are pressed forward by springs I), so that the two fluted rolls are normally pressed together. Set screws D are provided for adjusting or controlling the pressure of the rolls against each other.

A yoke D is mounted on the shaft D and carries at its forward or inner end a guiding roll D located directly beneath the needlecylinder. The knitted fabric passes downward around under the roll I), and then upward and enters the bight. of the fluted rolls D and D; It will thus be seen that as the machine is operated the fluted rolls will be rotated step by step '0 take up and control the knitted fabric.

The take-up yoke D has extending from one side thereof a cross-bar m Weights w are connected to the yoke D by means of the suspending rod 10 which embraces between its limbsthe cross bar w Fig. 2 of to a lift lever e0 pivoted at w, and having its upper end w in the path of a suitable riser or projection 2Y0 on the pattern cylinder. d, which is moved in relation to the main pattern chain D and positioned with relation to the bars (Z for lifting the needles that as the latter act to render half. the needles inoperative during heel and toe work, the riser or projection lifts the weight from the It is likewise desirable at times to entirely lift all weight from the fabric, for which reason we provide a second lift lever w, Fig. 2, connected to the yoke frame D by a connection 10, a suitable riser or pin is provided on the pat-tern cylindelybfl in, line with the lift lever w", and when this riser passes beneath the lever the-entire yoke B with its suspended weights will be raised. relieving the fabric of all strain. The riser or projection is preferably arranged to secure this result during the knitting of the toe and heel portion.

The yoke frame D is also provided with an arm I extending laterally therefrom and herein shown as an extension of the arm 10 to the outside of the machine frame,- a

' weights are therefore connected by rods 10*, 

